7 Young Adult Books Every Middle School Teacher Should Read

You can know a lot about someone by what they choose to read in their free time. A reader who gravitates toward horror stories may be more of a thrill seeker. Someone who prefers contemporary novels might enjoy quiet moments and the comforts of home. That’s why spending time with popular young adult books can be so eye-opening. These stories offer a window into what teens care about, what they worry about, and how they see the world. Reading young adult books can help you better understand your students, connect with their interests, and even spark meaningful conversations once the school year begins. If you’re interested specifically in LGBTQ-themed novels, be sure to check out that post for additional recommendations.

The Why Behind Helping Your Students Find the Right Young Adult Books

Helping your students find young adult books that truly fit them is about more than recommending popular titles. It’s about paying attention to what draws your student in and honoring those interests. When your students are guided toward young adult books that align with their emotions, questions, or curiosity, reading feels intentional rather than assigned.

The right young adult books can offer comfort, validation, or even escape. Some of your students look for stories that reassure them they’re not alone. Others want adventure, tension, or an entirely different world to step into. Recognizing those needs helps us support our readers not just as readers, but as growing individuals.

When we help our students discover young adult books that resonate, we send a powerful message. We’re telling them their interests matter. That sense of being understood often leads to stronger engagement with reading and a greater willingness to explore new stories. The young adult books below are titles that many teens gravitate toward for exactly these reasons.

The Divergent Series

The first set of novels I’ve chosen is the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. This collection includes three core young adult books, along with a companion novel. While the series has been around for some time, it remains incredibly popular, in part because of its movie adaptations. The first book, Divergent, introduces readers to Beatrice Prior. She’s a teenage girl faced with the life-altering decision of choosing a faction that will define her future.

Like many beloved young adult books, Divergent explores identity, belonging, and self-discovery while keeping your readers hooked with action and suspense. The sequels, Insurgent and Allegiant, continue Tris’s journey as she navigates love, loyalty, and the cost of standing up for who she truly is in a fractured society. These dystopian young adult books tend to appeal to your readers who enjoy fast-paced plots mixed with deeper questions about identity and choice.

Paper Towns

The next novel you should undertake is Paper Towns by John Green. Paper Towns is a stand-alone book released as a movie in the summer of 2015. It follows the close yet complicated relationship of two friends, Q and Margo, and the quest that Q must undertake to find Margo when she goes missing. What makes Paper Towns such a strong example of impactful young adult books is its focus on stepping outside of comfort zones and challenging assumptions about the people we think we know. With elements of mystery and romance, this book resonates with readers who enjoy reflective stories that still feel relatable and real.

Fangirl

Once Paper Towns has been read, pick up the fun, quirky, and relatable story Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Cath and Wren are sisters who grew up with the famous “Simon Snow” novels. Now that they are going to college, Wren is starting to make her way, but Cath is still dependent on her sister. When Cath is stuck with a new roommate and her clingy boyfriend, she has to learn how to be independent and live on her own.

This contemporary young adult book blends humor, romance, and coming-of-age themes in a way that feels incredibly authentic. Like many modern young adult books, Fangirl captures the awkwardness of transitions and the emotional challenges of learning to stand on your own. Your readers who enjoy stories driven by characters will find themselves eager to pick up more books by Rainbow Rowell.

If I Stay

An emotional, heart-wrenching work of fiction is If I Stay by Gayle Forman. This book features Mia, a classical music-loving, cello-playing high school student. She falls head over heels in love with Adam, the resident rock star of the local grunge band scene. Their worlds intertwine and collide until an accident on a snowy winter day turns Mia’s world upside down and forces her to make the most significant decision of her life. This book will have you cheering for love and crying for hard choices. The sequel, Where She Went, continues the story and offers additional perspective. It’s a strong option for your readers who appreciate emotional storytelling and thoughtful reflection.

The Maze Runner

Finally, the thrilling action book, The Maze Runner, by James Dashner, is an older series. Like Divergent, this series of young adult books gained renewed popularity through its film adaptations. It follows the story of Thomas. He is a boy who is sent into “the glade” to live amongst other boys. They are all trying to find a way out of the maze surrounding them.

Escaping the labyrinth may sound easy, but monsters are lurking around every corner. When a surprise person enters the glade, everything begins to change, and the need to get out becomes much more desperate. This dystopian novel features thrills, action, and adventure, and is great for the young men in your life who need something to read.

The Hunger Games

Another classic that continues to resonate with teens is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This popular young adult book follows Katniss Everdeen as she is thrust into a televised fight for survival in a dystopian society. What starts as a story about endurance and sacrifice quickly becomes a powerful discussion on power, loyalty, and standing up against injustice.

Like many impactful young adult books, The Hunger Games balances action with emotional depth. Your readers will be drawn to Katniss’s strength, vulnerability, and moral struggles. This series tends to become a favorite for your students who enjoy fast-paced plots paired with meaningful themes. The sequels, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, continue to challenge your readers to think critically about leadership and resistance.

Eleanor & Park

For your students who enjoy heartfelt stories, Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell is a standout young adult book. Set in the 1980s, this novel follows two misfit teens who form an unexpected connection through music, comics, and shared bus rides. Their story explores first love, family challenges, and what it feels like to not quite fit in.

This young adult book often connects with your readers who are navigating friendships, identity, and self-acceptance. Its emotional honesty and relatable characters make it a powerful option for your teens looking for stories that feel real and personal.

Why Young Adult Books Matter

These young adult books offer so much more than a way to fill summer reading time. They open the door to understanding what today’s teens are thinking, feeling, and navigating in their everyday lives. Through themes of identity, belonging, love, loss, and resilience, young adult books give your readers language for emotions that can be difficult to express and experiences that often feel overwhelming during adolescence.

Spending time with popular young adult books also helps us connect more authentically with our students. When you recognize the characters, conflicts, and worlds your students are drawn to, conversations become easier and more meaningful. Whether a student connects to a dystopian society, a heartfelt love story, or a reflective coming-of-age journey, those preferences reveal valuable insight into what motivates them and how they see themselves.

Reading young adult books truly builds up rapport with your students. These stories create shared experiences that foster empathy, understanding, and trust. By exploring the same books your students love, you’re gaining tools to better support, guide, and connect with the kiddos around you in a genuine and lasting way.

This post was written in collaboration with my young adult daughter, Reagan, who has her own blog, Burning Reads Books, where she specializes in reading and reviewing books.

Warning:

**Being that these are young adult books, they may contain items that you find offensive. Please be aware of that before beginning any of these novels.

Visit History Gal’s blog to read another great tip on how not to waste your summer.

Save for Later

Save this post for later so you can return to these young adult book recommendations when planning summer reading, updating your classroom or home library, or simply looking for books that help your teens feel seen and understood. These stories are perfect for building connection, sparking conversation, and meeting your students right where they are—one page at a time.